Employment in the region has evolved from agriculture, fishing and textiles into industries such as electronics, engineering, tourism, chemicals and plastic. The region is a world leader in the design and production of high quality cashmere.

The workforce is highly-skilled and adaptable. Workforce loyalty and retention rates are among the best in the country.

The high proportion of car-owning households and good road network results in people being prepared to travel some distance to their place of work, enlarging the pool of potential recruits.

A productive partnership

"Our biggest asset is our people, there is an abundance of quality people here and I've never seen loyalty like it. It's one of the reasons our company has flourished."